Sheet winding, turning and aligning method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

A sheet winding, turning and aligning method and apparatus for printed paperboard sheets and the like wherein a stack of horizontal sheets comprising the stack are rotated in the vertical plane while being confinedly supported, beyond 90*, with the boards being projected against a curved plate to implement breaking any ink pack which may be in a load due to movement of the sheets against one another and to provide enhanced column strength to prevent a tendency of the board slipping to the bottom of the pile as retaining jaws of the turner are opened, with resultant bottom edge pressure preventing proper winding or aeration, the boards or sheets comprising the load subsequently being tilted by the device to dispose the bottom and side edges at an angle from the horizontal and the vertical planes and vibrating and aerating the bottom and side edges of said sheets when so tilted to align sheet edges.

O i Umted States Patent 11 1 1111 3,724,089 Thompson et al. 1451 Apr. 3,1973 541 SHEET WINDING, TURNING AND 3,279,092 1966 Mariot ..34/oALIGNING METHOD AND APPARATUS 3,418,725 12/1968 Ruud ..34/33 3,656,7434/1972 Ruud ..34/l Inventors: Gene C. Thompson, Holl1s Center;

Radomski, Saco? David Primary ExaminerCarroll B. Dority, Jr. sCumberland Center, an Assistant Examiner-Larry l. Schwartz of MameAttorney-David H. Semmes [73] Assi nee: Southworth Machine Co'm any Por-I g tland, Maine p i [57] ABSTRACT A sheet winding, turning and aligningmethod and ap- [22] Flied' 1971 paratus for printed paperboard sheetsand the like [2]] Appl. No.: 204,252 wherein a stack of horizontalsheets comprisingthe stack are rotated in the vertical plane while beingcon- Related Aplpncat'on Data finedly supported, beyond with the boardsbeing [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 147,944, May 28, Projectedagainst a curved plate to implement break 1971, Pat. No. 3,680,220. ingany ink pack which may be in a load due to movement of the sheetsagainst one another and to provide 52 U.S. c1. ..34 23, 34/38, 34/149,-enhanced column Strength to Prevent a tendency of 34/150 34/1 3 214 5271 1 the board slipping t0 the bottom of the pile as retain- 51 1111.0..F26b 3/04 jaws the turner are P" with resultant [58] Field ofSearch....34/23, 38, 149, 150, 163, 189; P edge Pressure Preventing FFWindmg 214/65, 271/61 t1on, the boards or sheets comprising the loadsubsequently being tilted by the device to dispose the bottom and sideedges at an angle from the horizontal [56] References Cited and thevertical planes and vibrating and aerating the UNITED STATES PATENTSbottom and side edges of said sheets when so tilted to align sheetedges. 2,247,794 7/1941 Wallach ..271/61 3,259,992 771966 Bonwit et al...34/l50 18 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures 16 5 1- 11 5 as a a Q 62 DO U O 5.J U

LOADED RAI$ED PATENTEDAPR 3 I973 SHEET 1 OF 6 INVENTORS GENE C. THOMPSONJOSEPH E RADOMSKI I22/ID E. WILSON ATTORNEY PAIENTEDAPRS m; 3,724,089

SHEET 2 [1F 6 UPPER LOAD TOUCHES CURVED PLAT RAlSED LOADED ROTATED LOADGENE

JOSEPH E. RADOMSK DAVID E. WILSON 'AQ wy M M ATTORNEY ,PATENTEDAPR3 1m3,724,089

SHEET 3 UP 6 PLAT FORM UNCLAMPED ROTATED TO LEVEL POSIT i z IO 64INVENTORS GENE C. THOMPSON JOSEPH E. RADOMSKI DAVID E. WILSON ATTORNEYPATENTEDAPR3 I975 3.724.089

SHEET 0F 6 INVENTORS GENE (.THOMPSON JOSEPH (.RADOMSKI DAVID E. WILSON@MWW ATTO F2 N EY PATENTEDAPRS I975 3,724,089

SHEET 5 0r 6 TRAV E L.

VIBRATION ll INVENTOQS GENE c THOMPSON JOSEPH c. RADOMSKI DAVID E.WILSON (VMMM ATTORNEY PATENTEDAPR 3 I975 SHEET 6 [1F 6 INVENTORS GENE C.THOMPSON JOSEPH Cv RADOMSKI DAVID E WILSON (w/,1. W

A TORNEY SHEET WINDING, TURNING AND ALIGNING METnon AND APPARATUSBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present application constitutes acontinuationin-part of our prior co-pending application Ser. No.147,944, entitled SHEET WINDING AND TURNING METHOD AND SYSTEM, filed May28, 1971 and now U.S. Pat. No. 3,680,220, the present inventionconstituting an improvement over the disclosure therein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART G. Ruud U.S. Pat. No. 3,4l8,725 Dec. 31,1968.

This patent teaches aeration of a stack of printed sheets to preventthem from sticking together wherein sheets substantially verticallysupported at their lower edges are successively acted on in a directiontransverse thereto to successively raise the sheets, and vibratingindividual raised sheets of the stack.

Ruud does not teach impingement of the sheets against a curved surfaceto implement breaking ink pack nor a subsequent tilting together withvibrating and aerating for improved edge alignment of sheets in thestack as in the present invention.

Prior known methods and apparatus have not been entirely satisfactory inoperation to eliminate sticking or blurring of freshly printed sheets ina stack. Our previous application provided improvements in winding andjogging devices. However, it has been found under some circumstancesthat some printed sheets will remain stuck together regardless ofmechanical treatment imparted to them and such sheets as do separatewill do so when subjected to extreme sheer stress in duced by partialplacement of the pile on the curved surface of our prior invention, andwhile an air blast or aeration increases separation or unsticking of thesheets, the pile or stack under some circumstances does not have desiredsquareness or edge sheet alignment.

The present invention gives improved results over our prior inventionand meets a need as outlined above in the prior an.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a sheet winding,tuming and aligning method and apparatus wherein ink pack in a stack orpile of sheets is broken, necessary column strength is provided to thesheets, and the sheet edges are brought into desired squareness. Theresults of the invention are attained, subsequent to impingement upon acurved surface to break the ink pack, by tilting the sheets in the stackto an inclined angle and at that time vibrating and aerating the sheetswith air blasts in a manner to corellate and align the sheet edges inthe stack.

Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will be morereadily apparent from the follow ing detailed description of anembodiment thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the invention showing tilting ofthe apparatus in broken lines;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view from the opposite partiallyfragmentary side of' FIG. 1 with a sheet stack elevator platform in asequenced position, the lowermost sheets being broken away to showplatform assembly components FIG. 3 is an end elevational view alongline 33 of FIG. 2 with the apparatus in a subsequent operationalsequence to implement ink pack breaking;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 of a subsequent stepsequence; I

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. .4 of a further sequenced position toimplement sheet edge alignment;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detailed horizontal sectional view taken along theline 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged detailed fragmentary sectional view of a vibratorand air chamber unit, with the travel cycle schematically depicted;

FIG. 8 is a vertical fragmentary sectional view taken on line 8-8 ofFIG. 7 showing the vibrator and air chamber; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged detailed fragmentary vertical sectional view takenalong line 99 of FIG. 5 disclosing a traversing air chamber andassociated mechanism.

Referring now in more detail to the drawings, the apparatus includes abase or support 10 which pivotally mounts at 12 a vertical frame 14 withassociated base plate 16 and brace 18. The members 14, 16 and 18, andassociated mechanism, constitute a turntable assembly generallydesignated 20. The turntable assembly is mounted in a cantilever fashionby an appropriate bearing assembly at 22 which is interconnected throughgearing to gear motors 24. The turntable assembly is adapted forrotation by a gear motor 24 from the position shown in FIG. 2 to theposition of FIG. 3 to angularly rotate a stack of sheets mounted orsupported within the turntable through a desired angular rotation ordisplacement greater than and, for example, preferably between to effectan initial impact breaking of ink adherence between the sheets, as willbe pointed out in greater detail hereinafter.

The turntable assembly 20 includes, generally designated, a back wall26, side wall 30 and with a curved surface top plate 32, all comprisinga rigid structure in the nature of a cage with an open end for insertionand removal of sheets in stacks, and the entire unit being rotatable bybearing 22. A moveable platform assembly 34 includes a platform 36carried by I beams 38, or the like, moving in slots 40 which serve asguideways and extend through bottom plate member 42 of the turntableassembly. A pair of clamp cylinders 44, affixed to fixed top member 46of the turntable assembly at their upper ends have rods 48 attached toshaft 50, and rotatably mounted with respect thereto, by means ofbrackets 52 attached to the upper side of moveable platform 36 and serveto raise or lower the platform. Toothed racks or the like 54 are securedto back wall 26 and are engaged by and with toothed sprocket wheels 56.

In operation a sheet stack as generally designated 58 loaded on pallet60 is positioned within the turntable assembly through the open frontend thereof by means of a lift truck or the like and placed on the topof moveable platform 36. The platform 36 'through the mechanism abovedescribed can be raised together with the sheet stack so that theuppermost one of the sheets is engaged with the underside of curvedplate. 32. This is an adjustable engagement as will be describedhereinafter. The rack and sprocket arrangement in conjunction with theclamping cylinders ensures rectilinear movement of platform 36, andprevents tilting thereof.

After loading of a sheet stack, and an initial raising of the platform36 for a clamping engagement with the curved plate 32, the turntableassembly is rotated about bearing 22 as indicated in FIG. 3 of thedrawings, so that the sheets are turned from a horizontal positionthrough a vertical plane and to a tilted position of approximately 100125. This rotation throws the sheets against the curved surface of plate32 and gives an initial ink pack breaking action.

Subsequent to this the turntable assembly, F G. 4, is

reversely rotated to a level position wherein the sheets 58 arevertical, on an edge, and the platform 36 moved an increment awayfromcurved plate 32 as indicated by the platform unclamped notation. This isto provide a certain degree of looseness in and between the sheets inthe stack which are now standing on an edge.

Subsequent to this initial ink pack breaking the turntable assembly istilted to tilt .the load or sheet stack upwardly through an angle ofapproximately 20 as shown in FIG. 5. This is accomplished by means of atilt cylinder 61 secured between upright frame member 62 and a pivot 64on brace 18 which interconnects vertical frame 14 and base member 16.Upon actuation of tilt cylinder 61 the turntable assembly will assumethe position shown in FIG. 5. This operation is to initially move thepile or sheets therein uniformly against the back surface of theturntable assembly for the purpose of aligning the edges of the'sheetsin the stack. The sheet edge alignment is facilitated by means of anaerating and vibrating assembly. The aerating or winding assemblyincludes a blower 66 connected by flexible duct 68 to a header 70 whichextends across the width of the machine, and is moveably mounted withrespect thereto by a mounting including spaced rotatable shafts 72mounting gears 74 having entrained therearound a sprocket chain 76attached at its free ends to the header 70. Motor M and gearing Goperate this structure. Appropriate guides generally indicated at 78 areprovided for alignment in movement of the header. The header 70 extendsacross the back wall 26 and side wall 30 and has aerating nozzles 80operatively connected thereinto and extending into proximity to thesheets in the stack 58. Operatively associated with and mounted on theheader portion 70 extending along back wall 26 is a vibrator unit 82which includes a frame of resilient metal or the like includingdepending legs 84 interconnected by a top member 86 with the legsconnected by means of bolts 88, resilient cushions or washers 90, and

bar 92 to the header.

A vibrator 94, which can consist of for example a VM-lOO Vibco vibrator,is attached to the frame by bars 96, 98 or the like. A horizontal plate100 is attached to top member 86 and a flat bar 102 having beveled edges104 is mounted on plate 100. The flat bar 102 is adapted to move withthe header or air chamber and upon operation of vibrator 94, and theresilient mounting provided, will vibrate a narrow band of sheets in thepile as shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings. As the header moves along thevibrator will aflect or act on an isolated narrow band of the pileedges, for example about 25: inches, by raising this band about onequarter inch above the other edges. At the same time air is being blownthrough the aerating or winding nozzles. The combination further aidsalignment and additionally the air blast helps to solve the stickingproblem. Since only a narrow band is being vibrated the remainder of thepile is not disturbed and, therefore, no vibrtion forces are transmittedto the structural members of the machine. Isolating this small amount ofpaper also reduces the vibrator size required to do the job. It willalso be apparent that the tilting backward of the sheets in conjunctionwith the action of the vibrator, as indicated by arrows 106, will tendto force or float the sheets into the downward corner between the baseand side of the turntable assembly and greatly enhance the edge aligningfeature.

In operation the following sequence of operation elucidates the over-allfunction of the machine:

SEQUENCE OF OPERATON The Winder-Jogger is designed to wind, jog-alignand break tack on loads of printed stock. Also available is ability toremove damaged stock. Machine can also invert load 180 if desired.

A period of trial and operator learning will be required to achieve bestload aligning at minimum cycle time. The manual cycling will allowvarious operations to be tried to achieve best results.

The basic cycle will include the following steps: 1. Load Skid of paperonto moveable platform. 2. Press Clamp button to lift load until it isclose or touches curved platform max squeeze is not required. 3. RotateCCW Button used to turn load through l25, laying load onto curve tobreak tack and orientate load for aeration. 4. Jog unclamp button untilload is free and slides down to underneath support beams. Continuejogging unclamp until moveable platform is about threefourths inch to 1inch loose of skid. 5. Rotate CW until load is level. 6. Tilt-up loaduntil limit switch stops unit at about 20 angle. 7. Start blower andvibrator by pressing on button. 8. Press Right Trav. Button to traverseair and vibration to right through load. Hold until Limit Switch stopsat right hand end of load. 9. Press Left Trav. Button to traverse airand .vibration to left through load. Hold until Limit Switch stops atL.l-I. end of load. Stop blower and vibrator with ofi buttons.

NOTES:

A. lfpile is not uniformly back against back surface,

make another pass through load. I

B. Any particularly stubborn sheet or group may be stopped on andallowed to vibrate back.

C. Stop air on any sheets to be removed and pull outward and upward onthese to remove from stack.

Jog air right and left to find free point for easiest E. Always leaveair chamber at left end of travel when finished.

10. Press Tilt Down Button and lower load until stops are reached.

1 l. Rotate load CW until L.S. Stops pile vertical on skid. Note: ifrotate pushbutton will not work, press Clarnp" button to close to 72inches or less.

12. Press unclamp button to lower load to floor level stopping platformmovement just as stops are touched.

13. Remove load with truck.

l4. Jog unclamp button to level platform in frame opening as required.Machine is ready to receive next load.

While a preferred embodiment has been shown and described hereinbefore,manifestly minor changes and modifications can be made and incorporatedin the apparatus without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined in and limited solely by the appended claims.

We claim: 1. A method of winding sheets comprising: A. verticallystacking a plurality of horizontally oriented super-imposed sheets;

rotating the stack about a longitudinal axis through an angle greaterthan 90;

impinging the sheets in the so rotated stack against a curved surface tobreak cohesion between the sheets and to contour and position the sheetsfor enhanced column strength;

D. reversely rotating the stack to an angle of 90 to the horizontal toposition the sheets vertically edgewise supported;

E. tilting the stack to dispose the bottom and one side edge of thesheets at downwardly and rearwardly inclined supported anglesrespectively from the horizontal and vertical; and

F. vibrating and aerating the bottom edges of the sheets when so tiltedto align sheet edges.

2. A method of winding, turning and aligning sheets comprising:

A. vertically stacking a plurality of horizontally oriented superposedsheets on a-base support;

B. rotating the stack about a longitudinal axis through an angle greaterthan 90;

C. impinging the top of the so rotated stack of sheets against a curvedsurface to break cohesion between the sheets and contour and positionthe sheets for enhanced column strength;

D. reversely rotating the stack to an angle of 90 to the horizontal toposition the sheets vertically edgewise supported along first side edgesthereof;

E. angularly tilting the stack at an angle to the horizontal to positionthe first sheet edges at a corresponding angle with second side edges ofsaid sheet at right angles to said first supported edges and beingedgewise engaged and supported;

F. winding the so angularly disposed stack of sheets along at least oneside edge thereof, and simultaneously vibrating a narrow band of saidsheets along the said first supported side edges to urge said secondside edges into oriented alignment with the support thereof. 7

3. A method of winding, turning and aligning sheets as claimed in claim'2 wherein said sheets simultaneously with said vibrating are windedalong said first supported side edges.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein winding includes introductionof aerating medium and along the bottom and side edges of said supportedsheets.

5. A method as claimed'in claim 4 wherein aerating medium is introducedfrom a plurality of air nozzles mounted for movement along said edges.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5 and including reversely angularlytilting the. stack to a horizontal edge positionment, and subsequentlyfurther reversely rotating the stack to its original position forremoval and subsequent treatment.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1 including aerating side edges of thesheets when so tilted, said vibrating and aerating serving to float saidsheets into the downwardly formed angle between the supported edges ofthe sheets.

8. Apparatus for winding, turning and aligning sheets comprising:

A. a rotatably mounted turntable including:

i. a movable base platform to initially support a vertical stack ofhorizontal sheets;

ii. a curved upper plate, extending across the top of said turntable;

a back; and

iv. a side;

B. means to rotate said turntable, and a stack of sheets on said baseplatform, in a vertical plane initially through an angle greater than toimpinge uppermost sheets in said stack against said curved upper plate,and to subsequently reverse rotate the same to dispose said sheetsvertically on a side edge thereof;

C. means to aerate the vertically disposed sheets along an edge thereof;and

D. means to angularly tilt said turntable and vertically disposed sheetsat an angle to the horizontal, and means to vibrate and simultaneouslyaerate bottom side edges of the sheets. i

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, said means to aerate said side edgesbeing disposed along at least two sides of said sheets.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the vibrating meanscomprises an elongated plate extending across the said side of saidturntable supporting the bottom edges of said sheet, said plate beingmounted for movement along said side under said bottom edges of saidsheets, said plate having a narrow width for coaction with a narrow bandof sheet edges, and having a height suflicient to raise contacted sheetedges a' small amount from the supporting surface therefor.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, said aerating means includingheaders movably mounted for rectilinear movement along sides of saidturntable, air

nozzles operatively connected to said headers and legs of resilientmaterial, the bottoms of said legs being resiliently mounted on saidturntable, and a vibrator un'it operatively connected to said frame andsaid plate, resiliency of said frame and the mount therefor permittingvibration of said plate vertically and horizontally.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said frame, in conjunctionwith the support mount therefor, is in the shape of an inclinedquadrilateral with the legs inclined toward the angle formed betweensheet edges disposed at an angle to the horizontal, vibration of saidframe and plate mounted thereon, in conjunction with air duringaeration, serving to float said sheets into the downwardly formed anglebetween the supported edges of the sheets to facilitate edge alignmentof the sheets along the supporting sides therefor.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 including means for moving said baseplatform comprising spaced fluid actuated cylinders and pistonsconnected to said base platform and operable to move said base platformand sheets supported thereon vertically to engage the uppermost sheetwith said curved upper plate, and retract the base platformincrementally to slightly space the uppermost sheet and curved plate tofacilitate aeration thereof.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 and further including rack means onsaid turntable, said base platform operatively rotatably mounting piniongearsthereon in operative association with said racks. said racks andpinions being longitudinally spaced with respect to said base platformlength and in alignment with the fluid moving means for the platform toinsure equalization of movement of the ends of said base platform duringraising and lowering.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, said means rotatably mounting saidturntable including a pivotally mounted frame, bearing means mountingsaid turntable on said frame, a drive motor, and gearing interconnectingsaid drive motor and said turntable, operable for rotating saidturntable on said bearing.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16 and means for tilting said frameand turntable mounted thereon to angularly tilt said turntable andvertically disposed sheets at an angle to the horizontal to facilitatesheet edge alignment.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 and including means to vibrate andsimultaneously aerate bottom side edges of the sheets when angularlytilted.

1. A method of winding sheets comprising: A. vertically stacking aplurality of horizontally oriented super-imposed sheets; B. rotating thestack about a longitudinal axis through an angle greater than 90* ; C.impinging the sheets in the so rotated stack against a curvEd surface tobreak cohesion between the sheets and to contour and position the sheetsfor enhanced column strength; D. reversely rotating the stack to anangle of 90* to the horizontal to position the sheets verticallyedgewise supported; E. tilting the stack to dispose the bottom and oneside edge of the sheets at downwardly and rearwardly inclined supportedangles respectively from the horizontal and vertical; and F. vibratingand aerating the bottom edges of the sheets when so tilted to alignsheet edges.
 2. A method of winding, turning and aligning sheetscomprising: A. vertically stacking a plurality of horizontally orientedsuperposed sheets on a base support; B. rotating the stack about alongitudinal axis through an angle greater than 90* ; C. impinging thetop of the so rotated stack of sheets against a curved surface to breakcohesion between the sheets and contour and position the sheets forenhanced column strength; D. reversely rotating the stack to an angle of90* to the horizontal to position the sheets vertically edgewisesupported along first side edges thereof; E. angularly tilting the stackat an angle to the horizontal to position the first sheet edges at acorresponding angle with second side edges of said sheet at right anglesto said first supported edges and being edgewise engaged and supported;F. winding the so angularly disposed stack of sheets along at least oneside edge thereof, and simultaneously vibrating a narrow band of saidsheets along the said first supported side edges to urge said secondside edges into oriented alignment with the support thereof.
 3. A methodof winding, turning and aligning sheets as claimed in claim 2 whereinsaid sheets simultaneously with said vibrating are winded along saidfirst supported side edges.
 4. A method as claimed in claim 3 whereinwinding includes introduction of aerating medium and along the bottomand side edges of said supported sheets.
 5. A method as claimed in claim4 wherein aerating medium is introduced from a plurality of air nozzlesmounted for movement along said edges.
 6. A method as claimed in claim 5and including reversely angularly tilting the stack to a horizontal edgepositionment, and subsequently further reversely rotating the stack toits original position for removal and subsequent treatment.
 7. A methodas claimed in claim 1 including aerating side edges of the sheets whenso tilted, said vibrating and aerating serving to float said sheets intothe downwardly formed angle between the supported edges of the sheets.8. Apparatus for winding, turning and aligning sheets comprising: A. arotatably mounted turntable including: i. a movable base platform toinitially support a vertical stack of horizontal sheets; ii. a curvedupper plate, extending across the top of said turntable; iii. a back;and iv. a side; B. means to rotate said turntable, and a stack of sheetson said base platform, in a vertical plane initially through an anglegreater than 90* to impinge uppermost sheets in said stack against saidcurved upper plate, and to subsequently reverse rotate the same todispose said sheets vertically on a side edge thereof; C. means toaerate the vertically disposed sheets along an edge thereof; and D.means to angularly tilt said turntable and vertically disposed sheets atan angle to the horizontal, and means to vibrate and simultaneouslyaerate bottom side edges of the sheets.
 9. Apparatus as claimed in claim8, said means to aerate said side edges being disposed along at leasttwo sides of said sheets.
 10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, whereinthe vibrating means comprises an elongated plate extending across thesaid side of said turntable supporting the bottom edges of said sheet,said plate being mounted for movement along said side under said bottomedges of said sheets, said plate having a narrOw width for coaction witha narrow band of sheet edges, and having a height sufficient to raisecontacted sheet edges a small amount from the supporting surfacetherefor.
 11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, said aerating meansincluding headers movably mounted for rectilinear movement along sidesof said turntable, air nozzles operatively connected to said headers andopening in the direction of sheet edges adjacent thereto, said vibratorplate being associated with one said header for translation therewith.12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, said vibrating means includes aframe including a top and depending legs of resilient material, thebottoms of said legs being resiliently mounted on said turntable, and avibrator unit operatively connected to said frame and said plate,resiliency of said frame and the mount therefor permitting vibration ofsaid plate vertically and horizontally.
 13. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 12 wherein said frame, in conjunction with the support mounttherefor, is in the shape of an inclined quadrilateral with the legsinclined toward the angle formed between sheet edges disposed at anangle to the horizontal, vibration of said frame and plate mountedthereon, in conjunction with air during aeration, serving to float saidsheets into the downwardly formed angle between the supported edges ofthe sheets to facilitate edge alignment of the sheets along thesupporting sides therefor.
 14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 includingmeans for moving said base platform comprising spaced fluid actuatedcylinders and pistons connected to said base platform and operable tomove said base platform and sheets supported thereon vertically toengage the uppermost sheet with said curved upper plate, and retract thebase platform incrementally to slightly space the uppermost sheet andcurved plate to facilitate aeration thereof.
 15. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 14 and further including rack means on said turntable, said baseplatform operatively rotatably mounting pinion gears thereon inoperative association with said racks, said racks and pinions beinglongitudinally spaced with respect to said base platform length and inalignment with the fluid moving means for the platform to insureequalization of movement of the ends of said base platform duringraising and lowering.
 16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, said meansrotatably mounting said turntable including a pivotally mounted frame,bearing means mounting said turntable on said frame, a drive motor, andgearing interconnecting said drive motor and said turntable, operablefor rotating said turntable on said bearing.
 17. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 16 and means for tilting said frame and turntable mounted thereonto angularly tilt said turntable and vertically disposed sheets at anangle to the horizontal to facilitate sheet edge alignment. 18.Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 and including means to vibrate andsimultaneously aerate bottom side edges of the sheets when angularlytilted.